Methods for Assessing Social Cognition: In-Depth Examination in the Context of Psychopathological Disorders

Social cognition, at the heart of human interactions, encompasses the mechanisms through which we understand others’ thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, while adjusting our responses according to context. Although these skills are essential, they remain insufficiently understood, and their assessment continues to pose a challenge, particularly in the field of psychopathological disorders. In such clinical contexts, where social cognitive processes are often impaired, a precise and targeted analysis is indispensable.This thesis offers an in-depth exploration of the multiple facets of social cognition, drawing on a dual approach that combines a systematic review of the scientific literature with qualitative analysis. The primary objective is to examine and compare existing tools used to assess social cognition across four major categories of disorders: mood disorders, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and schizophrenia. These analyses highlight both the complexity of the processes being assessed and the methodological limitations of the instruments currently in use.Through this work, a critical reflection is developed on the challenges involved in conceptualizing and measuring social cognition, while also proposing concrete avenues for improvement. In particular, the thesis emphasizes the value of more ecological approaches that integrate different types of cues and take individual and cultural specificities into account. It also seeks to identify key domains that should be prioritized in clinical assessment in order to better understand the cognitive profiles specific to each pathology.This work represents a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and students, guiding them toward a more nuanced understanding of the interactions between social cognition and psychopathology. By shedding light on the methodological and practical issues related to the assessment of these complex processes, this thesis opens up important perspectives for improving patient care and follow-up, as well as advancing theoretical knowledge in this field.